The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-30

eAs Jet not a great deal, except In
/ Pennsylvelia, where ar bit ration under
the Wallace act has satisfactorily set.
tied q number OF bad differences
Voluntary arbitration in the Hooking
Valley, with the Hon. Allen g. Thur.
man for umpire, by which wages ware
advanced go cents ton at the close oil
1885, and the Joint arbitration Of the
operators OF Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
PeRnsylvania aud West Virginia, es-
tablished ia February, 1886, have re-
suited so well that possibly there will
yet be a resort 10 the county tribunals
In Ohio. The existence OF State
Boards in New York and Massachu-
setts with power TO hold hearings in
any town, accounts for the failure to
resort TO local tribunals in those States.
The Now York board, which was in.
tended TO bs an appellate tribunal,
found itself obliged TO exercise origi.
nal jurisdiction from the first.
II is the State boards that promise to
do valuable work, and threaten at the
same time to abhdge the absolute
freedom employers have enjoyed to
be law unto themselves in all indus
trial relations. The useful results are
to come about, apparently, In q differ
ent way from what the promoters OF
arbitration looked for. 1t will be less
by actual arbitration In response to pc
titi0n than by profiered med iation, a
word Of advice in time and the appeal
10 public opinion through an exposure
OF the facts, that industrial peace, on 8
basis OF Just relations, will be pro-
NOTED.
The three members OF the New
York
BOARD HAVE SALARIES
of $1,000 year each and clerk re-
ceives $4,000. The three members OF
the Massachusetts, board had, last
year, five dollars for each day OF &C.
tual service. They now receive $1,000
year each, and the term Of each is
three years. la New York the two
political parties, casting the largest
number OF votes aud bona fids labor
organization, muse be represented In
the board. In Massachusetts one men,
Der represents employers, another rep.
reseute the labor organizations and
those two Nominate tue third. The
successful aTbitrations, effected in
either State, 20 far, have been by
small proportion OF the possible cases,
but they have undoubtedly saved
moro than the cost OF maintaining the
boards and the very careful judicial
decisions of the Massachusetts, beard
form, already, body Of exact inior.
nation and important precedent In
regard 10 the relations of employers
and employee, aud the conditions az
footing profits and rules Of wages, of
the highest value.
Bat 1t Is In the power OF the Massa.
chusetis board to investigate, take tes-
and make q public report, in
OF the wishes OF the en-
ployer, that constitutes the most radi.
cal feature Of State action in labor
troables yet introduced In this coun-
try, and the fact that this power was
largely increased this year after the
first annual report OF the board had
been made to the legislature, Is sig |
nificant OF the drift Of public opinion.
As the law now stands II Is the duty |
If the mayor of city or the select. |
nen OF town to notify the board |
whenever strike or lockout involving
10 many 90 twenty-five employees OF
me employer, engaged in the same
inc of work, Is seriously threatened |
n has begun. 1t then becomes
he duty Of the board to Of
or Its conciliatory services and
~ 10 effect settlement. II the
fort fails the board may at discretion
make an investigation and publish a
eport fixing responsibility and blame.
The theory here, 1t win be seen, 10
he same that has worked 90 we'll In
be regulation OF railroad traffic In
Massachusetts,, that an appeal to pub
% opinion is the most effective form
4 public control OF business relations.
he powers OF the beard fall but little
hort OF those Of the celebrated Con-
sila do Prudhomme Of France.